Centipedegrass Diseases: Identification, Prevention, and Management

Disease Prevention Through Proper Care

Proper fertilization, mowing height, and watering are better than fungicides for disease control.

Three Common Diseases

Brown Patch

Favored by heavy fertilization, nights >68°F, days >80°F. Patches start small, merge >3 ft wide, sometimes with green center ("doughnut"). Control: moderate summer fertilization, early morning irrigation, labeled fungicides if needed.

Helminthosporium

Lawn looks thin, brown; runners slow to cover bare spots. Common in spring and fall. Control: 6 lbs 15-0-15/1,000 sq ft in late April and July—often eliminates need for fungicides.

Spring Die-Back (Not a Disease)

Large dead patches in April from warm-cold cycles in Feb–March. Grass exhausts reserves trying to green up. Prevention: no fertilization after September; no spring fertilization until full green-up. Repair: transplant healthy plugs into dead areas.

Other Causes Mimicking Disease

• Late spring frost damage
• Algae (primitive plant, not disease)
• Insect injury
• Fertilizer burn (concentrated/organic)
• Pesticide injury
• Dog urine spots
• Compacted soil

Distinguish these from true diseases for correct treatment.